I want to share another traditional Colombian Christmas treat with you. These Hojuelas are a delicious fried pastry that we eat with Natilla and Buñuelos at Christmas gatherings. Just writing this post made me homesick and I began missing the holidays in Colombia with my family. Growing up in a big Colombian family like mine was a lot of fun and the holidays were very special. My mother has 3 sisters and 5 brothers, so my grandmother usually had all nine children with their families for the holidays. It was a full house, but we always had a wonderful time and delicious food. If you are curious about what Colombians do around the Christmas season, here are some of our traditions:
El pesebre: The manger
Arbol de Navidad: Christmas tree
Novenas: December 16 to 24, we get together with family and friends every night to pray and sing Christmas songs to baby Jesus. And, of course, we eat our Christmas treats (Natilla, Buñuelos y Hojuelas).
El niño Jesus: Baby Jesus is the one who brings presents to Colombian kids, not Santa Claus, maybe it’s too far for him 
. On December 24 baby Jesus comes at 12:00 am and leaves presents around the kid’s beds and the next day the kids find them.
Noche Buena: On December 24th, families get together for Noche Buena, our Christmas Eve gathering. There is a lot of food, dancing and presents.
Fiesta de Fin de Año: On December 31st families get together to celebrate the end of the year, with food, dancing and fireworks. In my family it was a special day because it was also my grandmother’s birthday.
Without further ado, here is the Hojuelas recipe:
Ingredients
1 cup all purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1 tablespoon softened butter
2 tablespoons sugar, plus more for garnish
½ cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
Vegetable oil for deep frying
Directions
1. Place the flour and sugar in a medium bowl and using an electric hand mixer, mix well. Add the butter and continue mixing at low speed for about 20 seconds.
2. Add the orange zest and start adding the orange juice. Keep mixing at low speed while you are adding the juice.
3. Once the mixture has pulled together, mix at a slightly higher speed to fully incorporate the ingredients.
4. Roll the dough into ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for about 20 minutes.
5. Sprinkle some flour onto your work surface and roll the dough to 1/4-inch thick. Cut into 1 x 3 ½ inches strips. Add more flour to the work surface if necessary and again roll each strip to about 1/8 inch thick.
6. Place a heavy pot over medium heat and fill it about one-third of the way with vegetable oil. Heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 340°F.
7. Add the pieces and fry until golden brown. Using a slotted spoon transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Sprinkle with sugar and serve warm.
Related posts:
Kim
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 12:30 PM:
Sounds like you have wonderful memories of Christmas in Colombia. It can be hard at the holidays when you miss all your family. I feel the same way. These treats look delicious
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 1:35 PM:
These look great! One of my great aunts used to make something similar during holiday time. I know in Italian they are called zeppole! Whatever they are called in any language, they are GOOD!
Ben
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 2:50 PM:
In our countries this time of the year is a big party! In Mexico they start on the 12th with el día de la virgen de Guadalupe and then come the posadas with piñatas and a lot of food. I do miss this time of the year there, too. But the good thing is that we can remember them with delicious food like these hojuelas
Ivy
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 3:12 PM:
It’s great learning some of your traditions. Sometimes these simple desserts are the best.
Erica
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 3:24 PM:
Thank you guys for the comments!
Adriana
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 3:52 PM:
In Colombia we start on December 7th with “El Dia de las Velitas” prior to Dec. 8th The Inmaculate Conception catholic holiday.
Sarah Naveen
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 6:50 PM:
Lovely post..great to know about christams time in Colombia
..
I miss my home too..We also used to have this family gathering in my moms house..but now everybdy is in different continents
This snack looks so wonderful…I am dfntly gonna make this…
Soo yummy…
Sook
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 7:14 PM:
I’d be popular if I made this on Christmas morning…. I should save the recipe!
Nidia
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 7:59 PM:
I’m from Tunja, Colombia in the Boyaca department. I still remember that the one that was bringing presents to us was Papá Noel, not baby Jesus. Maybe that is another part of Colombia. After “El Dia de las Velitas” family and neighbors get together for the Novena that Erica already explained up above.
danielle
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 8:31 PM:
doesnt that look yummy!
monicajane
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 8:54 PM:
there is an italian christmas treat that is exactly the same and the name escapes me right now but I grew up eating them…since then I found out there are varieties of the same in other european countries as well…shoot…it bums me out the name isn’t coming to me…I’m gonna wait to send this for a minute.
ah! got it with the help of google…Crustole…yum! brings back lots of memories
rebecca subbiah
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 8:55 PM:
oh wow i love that Jesus brings the gifts thats spot on, send me a few of these babies!!
Velva
on Dec 8th, 2009
@ 10:26 PM:
There would be no way that I could eat just a few of these-I would eat them all. Fried pastry is just so darn good. Love it.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
on Dec 9th, 2009
@ 5:49 AM:
These look truly delicious!
Barbara
on Dec 9th, 2009
@ 7:45 AM:
Such fun to hear about all the Christmas traditions! These cookies look delicious!
Erica
on Dec 9th, 2009
@ 12:23 PM:
Thank you all for the comments!
Oysterculture
on Dec 9th, 2009
@ 1:55 PM:
Oh this sounds so tasty, and I really love learning about the Christmas traditions. What a special post
Clauida
on Dec 9th, 2009
@ 5:08 PM:
I was also born in Colombia. However, I came to the U.S at the age of 7. I do remember all these wonderful traditions and I’m very fortunate to have my entire family here in the States. Actually, I was remembering that they were my favorite and yes, my Mamita made them for me as well. WONDERFUL BLOG!
Chris
on Dec 9th, 2009
@ 5:48 PM:
I enjoyed not only the recipe but the back ground on your cultural and family traditions as well.
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie
on Dec 9th, 2009
@ 10:10 PM:
Thanks for sharing your wonderful traditions with us! And the hojuelas look scrumptious, I would love to try those!
caulin
on Dec 9th, 2009
@ 11:56 PM:
these are great i made some for foods day in spanish class and the country of origen was coombia and i made alot th are the best thanks for posting them up. and i might make some for christmas just to eat because they are so delicious!!!!!
Felisha
on Dec 10th, 2009
@ 12:06 AM:
Love the holiday recipes. Keep them coming!
Faith
on Dec 10th, 2009
@ 3:46 PM:
I loved reading about your traditions! These look like a delicious treat!
Diana
on Dec 10th, 2009
@ 5:07 PM:
What beautiful family traditions Erica! I especially love the novenas, what a beautiful time that must be
Thanks for sharing!!
Divina
on Dec 11th, 2009
@ 12:56 AM:
It’s great to know your family traditions in Columbia. I agree with Baby Jesus more than Santa Claus. Thanks Erica.
MaryMoh
on Dec 11th, 2009
@ 3:05 AM:
These would be so great with coffee. Thanks for sharing. I’m missing my family back home too this Christmas
Erica
on Dec 11th, 2009
@ 9:02 AM:
Thank you everyone for visiting my site
Devon
on Dec 11th, 2009
@ 1:05 PM:
My apartment is freezing. Please pass me a plate of hojuelas and hot chocolate.
Katy
on Dec 13th, 2009
@ 11:06 PM:
It is great to find these recipes with background of traditions; novenas were a beautiful time, and yes! These are great with “cafecito”. All this is just about baby Jesus, Let’s rejoice and shine the love of Jesus! Thank you, Erica.
Soma
on Dec 15th, 2009
@ 9:44 PM:
This has to be soooo good with the orange zest and deep fried and all. Thanks for sharing your memories Erica, I know how it feels to stay far away from home during festivities. Did not know that it would be too far for Santa to go
Nats
on Dec 18th, 2009
@ 9:26 AM:
I found this post while I was looking for an Hojulas recipe. I also grew up in Colombia and miss all of those Christmas traditions… I teared up just reminiscing as I read your post. =)
Erica
on Dec 18th, 2009
@ 10:22 AM:
Thank you guys for all the wonderful comments! Happy holidays!
Matthew
on Dec 24th, 2009
@ 2:12 PM:
i am very much interested in south american food that when i saw these recipes i got all excited,for sure before the season is over i am going to make Hojuelas ans the others. please send more
Jackie
on Jan 28th, 2010
@ 8:11 PM:
How many hojuelas does this recipe make?
Erica
on Jan 29th, 2010
@ 7:58 AM:
Jackie- About 24 hojuelas.